The Layton High School archeology team, Zane Smith, Sheyenne Shamsa, Mark Harris and Meghan Broadbent, experienced life in an archeological camp.

SOUTHERN UTAH — One Layton High School student received a surprise as she uncovered a prehistoric site while on an archeological dig with other teens in Southern Utah last week.

Meghan Broadbent was one of three Layton High School students who traveled with biology teacher Mark Harris to Southern Utah. Zane Smith and Sheyenne Shamsa also went on the trip, which was arranged by Jerry Spangler, executive director of the Colorado Plateau Archeological Alliance.

“I was just exploring and came across this cave with pictographs; I actually got to name the site,” said Broadbent. “I called it Meghan’s Folly, and I did the recording.”

Students from Wayne County High School were also at the site, which is thought to be a Fremont Indian camp, possibly existing 1,500 years ago. Since the Fremont have disappeared, archeologists have hoped to piece together information about how they lived, worked and worshiped.

The students at the site worked under the direction of Spangler and Dr. Duncan Metcalf. They got the chance to actually dig for prehistoric artifacts, document and record sites, and live in an archeological camp.

“Archeologists never disclose the location of their dig,” said Harris. “This prevents looters and vandals from further destroying the site.”

Layton High School students found and documented 70 meters of wall art, collected stone arrowheads, pottery chards and a partial piece of basket. Five artifacts will be sent to a lab in Georgia for radiocarbon dating. The dating, documenting, recording and other information give way to theories for archeologists on the lives of people who lived at the site.